Eight years ago today, Chris Kunitz scored a double overtime game-winner for the Penguins in the Eastern Conference Final.
Eight years ago today, Chris Kunitz scored a huge goal for the Penguins in double overtime of Game 7 in the 2017 Eastern Conference Final, sending Pittsburgh back to the Stanley Cup Final for a second straight year.
The Penguins were aiming to win back-to-back Stanley Cups after winning it all in 2016 and the Eastern Conference Final against the Ottawa Senators was quite a grind.
The Penguins only led in the series once, falling behind 0-1 and 2-1 before winning Game 4 on the road in Ottawa and winning in blowout fashion in Game 5 in Pittsburgh.
The Senators forced a Game 7 with a home win in Game 6 and everything was up for grabs in the elimination game.
Game 7 was one of punch and counter punch as Chris Kunitz put the Penguins ahead 1-0 midway through the second period, only for Mark Stone to equalize for Ottawa just 20 seconds later.
Midway through the third period, Justin Schultz put the Penguins up 2-1 and Ryan Dzingel also equalized for Ottawa just under 3 minutes later.
It was time for sudden death and the first overtime period wasn’t enough.
A second overtime period was underway, and that’s when Chris Kunitz had his moment.
“Penguins win it!” Doc Emrick yelled on the broadcast. “And they go to the Final!”
The most surprising thing about this goal and this moment is that the goal horn at PPG Paints Arena didn’t give out with how hard it was being mashed once the puck found the back of the net.